The Supreme Court has allowed a California lawyer-dentist to be fined $20,000 in a case that questioned President Barack Obama's U.S. citizenship.

Washington (CNN) - The Supreme Court has allowed a California lawyer-dentist to be fined $20,000 in a case that questioned President Barack Obama's U.S. citizenship.

The justices, in a brief order Monday, declined to stay a federal judge's motion last October against Orly Taitz, an outspoken figure in the "birther" movement.

Taitz had represented Capt. Connie Rhodes, an Army physician from Columbus, Georgia, who protested her pending deployment to Iraq. Taitz had argued in court the deployment was illegal because Obama had no authority to act as commander in chief since he was unconstitutionally serving as president.

After touring the ZBB Energy Corporation plant in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Obama told workers that their jobs manufacturing renewable batteries and power systems were part of a necessary transition of the U.S. economy.

"We can't turn back. We've got to keep going forward," Obama said to applause, later adding: "You're pointing us in the right direction. And I am confident about our future because of what I have seen at this plant."

(CNN) - In another strange moment in the Alvin Greene saga, the South Carolina Senate candidate attempted to drown out a local news interview with his brother by howling at the reporter from his front door.

Rad Berky, of CNN affiliate WCNC, spoke to Greene's brother following the candidate's indictment on a felony charge of obscenity.

The White House said Monday they have known all along Gates did not plan to stay on for the president's full term.

Milwaukee (CNN) - White House spokesman Bill Burton told reporters Monday that President Obama expects Defense Secretary Robert Gates to leave the Cabinet soon and is not surprised by that development because the administration has long known that he would not stay long after agreeing to extend his tour of duty beyond the Bush administration.

"It's not a surprise to see him discussing his plans to move on," Burton told reporters as Obama toured a renewable energy facility here. "The president is thankful for his service. The American people have benefitted" from that service stretching back many years and several administrations.

(CNN) - After months of negative, hard-hitting ads aimed at Tea Party-backed opponent and former Arizona Rep. J.D. Hayworth, Sen. John McCain's campaign has released a new, more positive spot called 'Vital.'

The minute-long ad makes no mention of Hayworth, but focuses instead on McCain's character and major issues such as border security and the economy.

"I can't think of a time in my life when we had bigger more vital issues at stake than today." McCain says, "The rebuilding of our economy, the security of our nation, our border, and the safety of every citizen in Arizona."

Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal will be teaching at Yale University this fall, according to a university spokeswoman.

(CNN) - Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who resigned from the military this year after controversial comments published in a magazine profile, will be teaching at Yale University this fall, according to a university spokeswoman.

McChrystal has been appointed a senior fellow with the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs beginning in the fall semester, said a statement from the spokeswoman, Dorie Baker.

McChrystal, who commanded the U.S.-led military coalition in Afghanistan, will teach a graduate level seminar for students in the international relations master's program, the statement said.

According to the new survey, 56 percent of the public says that the economy will be extremely important to their vote for Congress this year, making that the only issue that a majority said would be vital to their vote.

Two other issues related to the economy - unemployment and the federal deficit - tied for second on the list with 48 percent.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the come-from-behind GOP winner of the Iowa Caucuses in 2008, is the early choice of Hawkeye State Republicans again, a new poll shows.

Washington (CNN) - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the come-from-behind GOP winner of the Iowa Caucuses in 2008, is the early choice of Hawkeye State Republicans again, a new poll shows.

The survey was conducted for the website TheIowaRepublican.com may be viewed as simply a matter of name recognition as much as it is a measure of true political support given the caucuses are eighteen months away and no Republican has yet to declare an intention to run for president.

Sill, the survey shows Huckabee has retained a significant number of supporters in the Hawkeye State, leading the field with 22 percent of support. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the runner-up in 2008, is second with 18 percent.